Lukas Krpálek is at his best these days and became the world champion in Tokyo. It was the ultimate highlight this year for him but he has already experienced some career highlights. The Czech Olympic Champion will perhaps face Teddy Riner again in Brasilia at the Grand Slam but this time as a world champion. He never defeated Riner who is undefeated in 148 matches but Krpálek comes closer and gave Riner a hard contest in Montreal. Read more

It’s always great to analyse judo and the most recent development in our sport. Whether they are critical or not, at least discussion leads to a good modus in which it should direct. The Paris Grand Slam has been such a milestone event that should be the benchmark. Still there have been some interesting situations that need more attention for the discussion among coaches and athletes. Read more

Triple world champion and Olympic medalist (London 2012) Gevrise Emane received a a standing ovation from the home crowd before the start of the final block of the Grand Slam of Paris on Sunday. Emane recently announced her sporting retreat. Very moved, even on the verge of tears, the champion dedicated her incredible career to all judo teachers, her club coaches and coaches of the French team and she stressed the importance of working hard to achieve your objectives. Read more

The last final of the weekend opposed Kageura Kokoro (JPN) and Kim Sungmin (KOR). In less than a minute both athletes were penalised with two shidos each and had no other choice than to attack, which they did but 1:52 were necessary for the Japanese to score a beautiful ko-uchi-gari for ippon. It is the first gold medal for Kageura in a Grand Slam and the fifth gold for Japan here in Paris. Read more

World number one Michael Korrel of the Netherlands won gold in at the Grand Slam in Paris for the first time after his fellow finalist Tokyo Grand Slam winner Cho Guham (KOR) was ruled out by a knee injury. It was the first time since 1999 that a Dutchman won this category in Paris, Ben Sonnemans was the last one. Read more